Carolina Peredo, an Argentinean exploring the city. Featuring Latin music at Blastro2, an online music channel based in Austin, the “solo en Español” section of Blastro Networks brand. Check out her SXSW picks here.

________________________________

South By Southwest (SXSW), the mega film-music-interactive conference and festival, is right around the corner. From March 9th up to March 18th the city of Austin is really going to honor its title as the Live Music Capital of The World. If you are planning to attend, and want to check out the city as well as the acts, here are some of my favorite Latin spots to hit up during March. Don’t forget your Summer clothes!

HANGOUTS

For a fancy experience, if you are with your señorita or need to kill some time between events check out the Driskill Bar, at The Driskill Hotel. (Walking distance to everywhere in Downtown). Happy Hour’s on Friday, 4:00 to 7:00PM
$4 Margaritas
$3 Mexican Bottled Beer, Dos Equis & Corona604 Brazos St
Austin, TX 78701

Austin Farmer’s Market

Every Saturday, it features fresh organic products straight from surrounding Texas farms, plus live music 9:00-1:00PM. Free.
Republic Square Park 422 Guadalupe ST.

BBQ

It’s hard to decide which one is the best, so you’ll probably need to go andcheck out both. Open from 10:30AM till they run out of food.

Mueller’s

The Muellers’ dad started this Texan BBQ a hundred of years ago in Taylor. Today the son is running a trailer in Austin. Even if you are not a sausage person you are going to love it here. Great outside ambience.Wednesday-Sunday
1502 South First Austin, Tx 78704

Franklin

Bon Appétit magazine just named this the best BBQ in the country. Closed on Mondays900 E. 11th St.
Austin, TX 78702

EAST SIDE

The East Side of Austin use to be the Hispanic neighborhood but gentrification has made some changes. Still, the part just east of downtown is pretty authentic.

March 11th – María Volonté Tango Fusión Show (If you can’t make it into the SXSW showcase)
Maria Volonte is a Grammy-nominated Argentine singer, guitarist and composer who is returning to Austin with the Blue Tango Tour and the intense sounds of Buenos Aires. $10. Bring your own bebida.

March 13thRuta Maya party with ESL Music at SXSW – this event will feature performances by: Ocote Soul Sounds – Latin American music with Martín Perna (Antibalas) and Adrian Quesada (Grupo Fantasma, Brownout) and their extended musical family spanning from Austin TX to New York to DC to Sao Paulo Brazil.
Also:Ursula 1000 ft. MS.G
Afrolicious
Cilantro Boombox
Hard Proof Afrobeat

For some Country Music flavor. I know is not a “Latin spot” but it is worth to check it out. Cool little intimate venue with a real two-steps dancing experience with all kind of age’s crowd.1315 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704

A great Tex-Mex restaurant, cantina, and live musica venue.1619 South First
Austin, TX 78704

February 16th
Jovitas will play host to an unofficial SXSW Latin Music show promoted by Austin Vida and Peligrosa (an incredible party-party-party group [and The Spot alums] from Austin). Bay Area’s Latin Alternative sensation Bang Data will be performing and celebrating the release of their official debut album. Los Rakas, Zuzuka Poderosa & more will be there.

TRANSPORTATION

Austin traffic is bad, but during SXSW is going to be a real disaster. (Not to mention that 6th Street (main Downtown st.) is going to be mainly closed.) For that reason a fleet of around 350 pedicabbers are going to be working all day long to take you to one place to another. The trip rate is going to be around $10, open to negotiation depending of how far are you going. Many of them even accept credit cards. You can always flag one down but take note of Rachel’s number: (512) 632-0289, an strong and nice pedicabber that is willing to practice her Spanish.